Signal apparatus



R. P. STEPHENS. SIGNAL APPARATUS. APPLICATION men mm. 26, my 3 1,394,950, Patented Oct. 25, 1921 2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

:. woe/who's R. P. STEPHENS.

SIGNAL APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 26, 192I.

1,394,950. v Patented Oct. 25, 1921.

- 5 2 SHEETS-$HEET 2- i Y M ..III

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SIGNAL APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters ten ffatented Oct. 25, 1921.

Application filed. March 26, 1921. Serial No. 45-5399.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ROBERT P. STEPHENS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Raton, in the county of Colfax and State of New Mexico, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Signal Apparatus, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improve ments in si nal apparatus and has relation more particularly to an apparatus of this general character especially designed and adapted for use in connection with locomotives or kindred rolling stock to indicate the classification of a train, and it is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus of this general character embodying signals which may be readily observed, when dis played, either during the day or after nightfall.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved apparatus of this general character embodying a signal adapted to be effectively maintained in position for display and whereby the same may be conveniently and effectively'concealed when not in use.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved signal apparatus whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood,-I will now proceed to de scribe the same panying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in section illustrating a signal apparatus constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and in applied position;

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation of my improved apparatus as herein disclosed, the

coacting portion of a locomotive being diagrammatically indicated in fragment;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view in top plan of the structure as herein disclosed;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken substan tially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

with reference to the accom- Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken'substantrail on the l is 5--5 of 4; and

Fig. (5 is a fragmentary elevational. view illustrating the means for holding the lower member of the flag frame in closed position.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes a hand rail secured in a con ventional manner to each side of the boiler B of a locomotive. Each of the rails l adjacent the forward end thereof is provided with the upstanding posts 2 spaced apart a desired distance longitudinally of the rail and the upper portions of the corresponding posts 2 at opposite sides of the boiler B are connected by the cross or brace members 3. To the paircf upstanding posts at each side ofthe boilerB is suitably secured a panel or blind l for a purpose to be'hereinafter more particularly referred to.

To one of the cross members 2 at each side ofthe boiler B is bolted, as at 5, a bracket 6. The bracket 6 at spaced points longitudf nally thereof is provided with the upstanding pairs of arms 7 and theupper edge or face of the bracket 6 between the arms of each pair is provided with a socket 8 for a purpose to be hereinafter more particularly referred to. 9 denotes a pintle or pin common to both pairs of arms 7 and extending through the upper portions of said arms and bridging the spaces therebetween.

Coacting with each pair of arms 7 is a flagstaff 10 of desired length and one end portion of said staff has disposed therethrough a longitudinally directed slot 11. Said slotted end portion of the staff 10 is arranged between the arms 7 and the pintle or pin 9 is disposed through the slot 11 whereby said staff 10 is capable of both swinging and endwise movement.

This pivoted end portion of the staff 10 is provided with a reduced extension 12 which, when the staff 10 is vertically disposed, is adapted to seat within the adjacent socket 8 whereby the staff 10 is maintained rigidly in an upright or vertical position. The slot 11 of a length to permit the extension 12 to be readily withdrawn from within the socket when it is desired to swing the staff 10 into a horizontal or inoperative position.

Extending laterally from each of the staffs 10 at predetermined spaced points longitudinally thereof are the bars 14: and 15 substantially in parallelism. Pivotally en-- gaged with the free end portion of the upper bar 14; is an end portion of an end bar 16.

The opposite end portion of the bar 16 is provided with a tongue or extension 17 adapted to engage within a slot or kerf 18 formed in the free end portion of the lower bar 15. A bolt or other removable member 19 is disposed through the outer or free end portion of the lower bar 15 and the interlocking tongue or extension 17 whereby said end bar 16 is locked in its closed or working position.

The bars 14, 15 and 16, together with the flagstalf 10, provide a frame for the flag F, said flag being of suitable color and comprising a plate of suitable material. By swinging the end bar 16 outwardly, the flag F may be readily applied or removed as the occasions of practice may necessitate.

The inner lower corner of the flag F is cut away, as at 20, to receive a face portion 21 of a box A, said box being bolted or otherwise securely fixed to the adjacent portion of the staff 10 and the adjacent portion of the lower bar 15. The major portion of the box A is disposed inwardly of the flag F. The face portion 21 of the box A exposed through the flag F is provided with a bullseye 22, the lens of which is of desired color. The'forward end wall 23 of the box A is also provided with a bulls-eye 24 of desired color so that the signal may be readily determined or read. The rear wall 25 of the box A is provided with. a restricted bullseye 26 so that an engine-man can readily determine whether or not the lamp'L within the box is properly burning.

The lamp L is preferably of an electrical type and is engaged within a socket 27 carried by the bottom wall 28 of the box A, said socket 27 having proper connection with a suitable source of electrical energy. The bottom wall 28 of the box A is removable and the opposite endportions thereof are provided with the open slots 29 to receive the hinged or pivoted shanks 30 carrying the clamping or holding nuts 31. -By having the shanks 30 pivoted, the bottom 28 can be readily removed without entirely disengaging the nut 31 from the shanks.

When the staffs 10 are in their lowered or horizontal position, the flag F and box A carried by each of said staffs are concealed or hidden behind an adjacent panel or blind A so that, when such staff and the parts carried thereby are not in use, the same will be substantially completely out of sight.

From the foregoing-description it is thought't'o be obvious that a signal apparatus constructed in accordancewith' my invention is particularlyv well adapted for use by reason, of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1; A signal apparatus of the class described comprising a member provided with a socket, a staff supported by said member for both swinging and endwise movement, said staff having an extension seating within the socket when the staff is in one position, a flag carried by the staff, and an 7 illuminated signal carried. by the staff and exposed through the flag.

2. A signal apparatus of the class de scribed comprising a staff, a flag carried thereby, a box carriedby the staffto one side of the flag and having a wall exposed through the flag, an illuminating member within the box, and a bullseye carried by the wall of the box exposed through the flag.

3. A signal apparatusiof the class described comprising a staff, a flag carried thereby, a box carried by the staff to one side of the flag and having a'wall exposed through the flag, an illuminating member within the box, and a bulls eye carried by the wall of the box exposed through the flag,

the bottom of the box beingremovable, the illuminating. member being carried by said bottom. 4c. A signal apparatus of the class described comprising a staff, a flag carried thereby, a boxcarried by the staff toone side of theflag and having a wall exposed through the flag, an illuminating member within'the box, a'bulls-eye carried bythc wall of the box exposed through the flag, and a bulls-eye carried by an end wall of the box. 1 V

5. A signal apparatus of. the class described comprising a'staffpa flag carried.

thereby, a. box carried by the staff to one side of the flag and having a wall exposed through the flag, an illuminating member within the box, a bullis-eye carried by the wall of the box exposed through the flag,

and a bulls-eye carried by an end wall of the box, the opposed end wall being provided with an opening to afford'visual access therein. i

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

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